'The better team won tonight' - Ronan O'Gara delighted with La Rochelle victory over Bath
Ronan O'Gara, Head Coach of Stade Rochelais, looks on prior to the Investec Champions Cup match against Bath. Picture: by David Rogers/Getty Images
Ronan O'Gara said he was "more than pretty happy" with his side's opening night victory away to Bath in the Champions Cup.
The French side won 24-20, holding on in the second half after an opening 40 minutes which looked to have them cruising towards a bonus point win. La Rochelle led 21-6 at the break but added just three points in the second half as the English Premiership leaders fought back.
"It's just about getting started and winning," said O'Gara told Premier Sports.
"We can look at the content tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday and get better for Bristol.
"Brilliant first half, shocking second half. But character from the boys because we could have buckled, but some young fellas put up their hands and we've got a good team spirit. I think the better team won tonight."
La Rochelle scored three first half tries through Oscar Jegou, Reda Wardi and Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
"That was as easy as you like for La Rochelle!" 🎙️
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 6, 2024
Tawera Kerr-Barlow goes over for a third try of the first half for Ronan O'Gara's men 🟡 pic.twitter.com/QOJogLwyRt
"We were very accurate," O'Gara said.
"It's always really pleasing when you construct a maul like that and you score off it. Then you kind of bluff them into going off the top. Obviously, Tawera showed exceptional hands to be able to control the ball and run through. I suppose the thought process involved in that is interesting.
"Our first try was obviously just battering away near the line. So 21 points, which was good. And then we started the second half really poorly.
"Backed up errors, discipline, scrum count. Lineout struggled a little bit, but then we got four (match) points, and in these conditions that's great because you can defend like dogs and we defended really well at the end."
"I think the better team won tonight." 🗣️
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 6, 2024
Ronan O'Gara gives his thoughts after an opening night victory for Stade Rochelais against Bath Rugby 🟡⚫#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/IS54WBdZNm
La Rochelle, struggling in the Top 14 this season, face Bristol at home next weekend.
"You have to be smart with the different conditions," said O'Gara, "maybe it could be OK next week because tonight it's a very different rugby to potentially Bristol, how they'd like to play because they throw the ball around and their skill levels are top.
"We put teams under pressure a bit and we squeeze them but we can play ball as well. If we get conditions, it's about being smart and opening your game plan or closing it up.
"Tonight, for 40 minutes, that obviously won us the game. The boys should be very happy tonight. It's a good reaction from last week's Top 14, but this competition is special and we want to be involved in the knockout stages."
